DEP ANNOUNCES LIST OF GREEN SCHOOL FINALISTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 22, 2013

DEP ANNOUNCES LIST OF GREEN SCHOOL FINALISTS

~Upcoming event will recognize students, faculty and districts excelling in green school initiatives~

TALLAHASSEE, FL- The 5th Annual Florida Green School Awards Ceremony and Banquet will be held Oct. 29 to celebrate the finalists for their contributions in saving and conserving energy and water and reducing waste.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Health, Sustainable Florida and committed community members annually have held the Florida Green School Awards to recognize the environmental achievements of students, teachers, classes, schools and school districts in Florida. This year, DEP, the Department of Education, Department of Health and Sustainable Florida signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to promote green schools in Florida.

Since 2009, applicants to the Green School Awards program have generated $66 million in cumulative gross cost savings. To apply, participants are encouraged to address one or more of the five approved green school themes. These categories include Green Learning Environments, Exemplary Programs in Curriculum and Teaching, Service Learning, Policy and Partnerships and Recycling.

Below the finalists for the upcoming awards ceremony are listed, as well as three of last year’s awardees, who will be honored for their recurrent achievements under their categories.

COUNTY STUDENT FINALISTS SCHOOL NAME

Palm Beach Erin Donahue Saint Joseph's Episcopal School

Citrus Kaleb Jemison Academy of Environmental Science

Brevard The AVID students Stone Middle School

CLASS FINALISTS

Duval Ms. Petote's 5th Grade Class Ruth N. Upson Elementary

Orange Ocoee HS agriculture classes Ocoee High School

Orange Service Learning Council Timber Creek High School

TEACHER FINALISTS

Polk Deb Wagner St. Paul Lutheran School

Duval Jessica Petote Ruth N. Upson Elementary

Hillsborough Sharon Cutler Lawton Chiles Elementary

SCHOOL FINALISTS

Brevard Audubon Elementary School

Palm Beach Eagles Landing Outdoor Learning Center

Hillsborough Lawton Chiles Elementary

DISTRICT FINALISTS

Broward Broward County Public Schools P3 Team

Lee School District of Lee County Curriculum and Staff Development

Palm Beach School District of Palm Beach Co.

In addition, three of last year’s awardees will be honored for their recurring achievements under their categories.

6:30- 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Hyatt Regency Orlando

9801 International Drive

Orlando

About the Office of Environmental Education

The Office of Environmental Education is the lead office for programs seeking to build environmental literacy in Florida with special emphasis on students and teachers. The OEE program includes three main initiatives: 1) the Learning in Florida’s Environment program, 2) the Florida Green School Network, and 3) Outreach in support of the Department’s core mission. These program areas provide real-world opportunities for learners and educators that combine Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields that promote career paths for employment in the increasingly complex field of environmental protection.